Everyone was stuck on Switzerland today
Pulled out 3 Jeeps, 2 4Runners, and a SxS today. Sometimes when I go to Boulder to shop I take Switzerland trail as the scenic route. Today I needed some pac boots so down to Boulder I went.
On the way there I ran into a SxS first, following Jeep tracks and got in a bit too deep.
Then a couple of 4Runners. Looked all overlandy but just had the wrong tires for the conditions.
The second 4Runner had worse tires so I just pulled them all the way to the parking lot.
Then off to look for boots which was a complete failure. Looks like I'll have to head back to town tomorrow to try again. On the way home I almost just took the paved road, then figured it would be fun to see how chewed up the trail was after the days activity. Didn't expect to see anyone else on the trail as it was after dark, but instead I found a few people who really needed a hand.
The first couple was in a well prepped Gladiator and they were doing everything right, just had the world's worst luck and the steel winch cable broke, then some how the winch itself broke too, so they need a whole new winch. When I found them they had been digging and using traction boards to slowly make progress for about 3 hours.
First I pulled them out
Then I got them turned around and facing the same direction I was going as I didn't want them trying to continue the way they were going in the dark, the trail only got harder. Once I got them out the driver, Nicholas, offered me some cash as many people do but I never accept, we're all just looking out for each other on the trail in my mind. But while we were chatting when he heard I had most of my gear stolen a few weeks ago he offered me a snatch block and I accepted as I knew this would come in handy with future rescues.
After that I got in front of them, hooked up my kinetic rope and with a lot of power got them through the worst part. As we proceeded not too much further up the trail I ran into a woman and her dog who had been stuck for a couple of hours. She had called for help but we were there so we (the couple I pulled out in the Gladiator a few minutes earlier) helped the Wrangler out.
Using that snatch block I had just been gifted, Nicholas and I helped Maria get turned around as well.
Then the rescue party Maria had called in arrived. They ended up getting stuck too, I quickly helped them out and told them I get to take a picture because I helped them out
At that point everyone was back at the parking lot safely so we parted ways, and I went home to empty the water out of my far too short to be tromping around in the snow boots. I hope I find some better boots tomorrow.
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